Thank you to Texas Athletics for giving the opportunity for so many in our community to attend the Women’s Basketball game on Saturday, March 5. We had families so excited to be there, and it took me back to when the Neighborhood Longhorns Program first began. It was about opportunity…and on Saturday our community had the opportunity to experience a great game, while being part of the end of a glorious chapter at the Erwin Center.
I always remember Coach Jody Conradt telling the story of our Neighborhood Longhorns kids entering the Erwin Center for the first time, and just seeing their faces light up when they realized what was really in this building they had only seen from afar. We had teachers who brought their students and they reminded me of when they first came to the Erwin Center, when they were participants in the Neighborhood Longhorns Program. We had parents who came with their kids, just thankful for an afternoon of good ol’ family fun. It gave me chills as this is our official 30th year celebration and we were able to celebrate in such a grand way! It was almost like it was full circle from when the program first began.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Texas Athletics, Coach Vic Schaefer, Michael Huff, Nyle Maxwell, Chuck Nash Auto Group, Vince Young Steakhouse, One Voice Communications, Dr. Bill and Isabella Cunningham, the Silver Spurs Alumni Association, including program founder, Howard & Amy Nirken, and everyone who helped #PackTheDrum and raise $120,500 for the Neighborhood Longhorns Program. The schools felt the support, the kids felt the support, and our program felt the support.
Míl gracias,
Celina Ruiz-Snowden
Director, Neighborhood Longhorns Program